There’s A New Vibe In Havasu At The Lighthouse Lounge

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By Becky Maxedon

A 20-year-in-the-making passion project is unfolding at 317 S. Lake Havasu Ave.

And passion is almost an understatement when it comes to the palpable excitement of the group of developers of the Lighthouse Lounge.

“It’s been kind of a 20-plus-year dream for us,” said Josh Wooden, artistic director for Lighthouse Lounge.

“We were thinking of a vintage dive bar. We didn’t know it was going to be this big but when we walked into this building, the wheels started turning,” Wooden said.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Twins Justin and Jason Bechen, along with Wooden are Iowa transplants and have brought a Midwest flavor to the Lake Havasu City entertainment scene.

“It’s a big-city vibe in a small-city environment,” Wooden said. “It’s an atmosphere you won’t get anywhere else near here. We want people to come in and have fun and be open-minded. It’s all about the vibe,” he said.

The venue is made up of three zones – that Wooden says makes customers feel like they’re actually bar hopping. The Lighthouse Lounge has an upper bar, a basement and a comfortable lounge area.

Wooden describes himself as an art-school dropout. “This really gave me the opportunity to flex my muscle in art with this project,” he said.

“We target all ages. For those who grew up in the ‘70s, it reminds them of their past. The younger folks get to experience everything that those who grew up in the ‘70s did. It’s a new experience for them,” Wooden said.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“We put our hearts and souls into this project. We got it done in 110 days, working 12- to 14-hour days.”

A 30-day menu is in place at the Lounge through the end of February. One of the hottest items on that menu at the moment, according to Wooden, is the pork tenderloin sandwich.

“It’s the size of two hands – larger than life visually and taste-wise,” Wooden said.

One of the signature cocktails offered is the Scorpion Shot – a shot of tequila and a scorpion. Those who down the drink are awarded a badge of honor. Where do they get the scorpions one may ask – why they order them from an online farm, of course.

The plan is to determine a more permanent menu after the 30-day menu has run its course.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

In addition to food, the Lounge presents live music most weekends, Thursday through Saturday.

“We’re booked well past June with high-level talent national recording artists,” Wooden said. “And you get to see them in an intimate setting.”

Wooden said carpenter Matt Bristlin executed his artistic creation to perfection.

In addition to Wooden, the Bechen twin’s parents Mack and Joleen Patterson, along with Devin Garret, helped implement the project.

Leading the kitchen staff are Jack Withan on the grill side and Adrian Velasquez on the pizza side.

“We’re not finished yet,” Wooden said. “We’re trying to raise the bar in Lake Havasu. We have more ideas coming. We want to take over the town with immersive entertainment.”

The Lighthouse Lounge is located at 317 S. Lake Havasu Ave. They are currently open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 11 p.m., and Saturday noon to 1 a.m. They are closed on Monday. Hours of operation could change in the future so watch the Lighthouse Facebook page at Lighthouse Lounge.